Covers having RFID functionality for portable electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A cover for electronic hand-held devices providing RFID-operability and/or other functional keypad overlay to extend or expand the operation of the device to permit the user to perform additional actions or transactions facilitated by the RFID-operable cover. Method of using the cover for conducting business transactions are also included.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/256,313, filed on Oct. 21, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,086; it is acontinuation of that application, claims priority therefrom, andincorporates it herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to marketing and sales toolsinvolving user interfaces on portable devices, and, more particularly,to strategic placement of radio frequency identifiers (RFID) on, within,connected or integrated with portable electronic device keypad covers oroverlays, including applications for wireless devices.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Brand strategy is the business of developing brands based on thoroughmarketing knowledge and insight. It is a physical expression of how abusiness direction and key messages will communicate and establish valueeffectively across a broad range using several mediums to enhanceawareness, impact and equity of the brand, in short increasing companies“goodwill” which is often more valuable than the break-up value of thecompanies assets. Marketing often takes advantage of the interfacebetween a consumer and an object to create intangible value in the formof branding some business' product or service. Examples of suchinterfaces include billboards, packaging, and electronic displays (TVscreens and computer monitors). Use of such interfaces createscommercial goodwill helping businesses sell their products and/orservices.

Recently, in today's mobile information society, an unexploited andincreasingly ubiquitous consumer-object interface has arisen, namely theuse of wireless devices as an integral part of daily living. Althoughsuch devices often advertise the manufacturer of the device itself byincluding an identifying mark somewhere on the device, generally suchmarks are not interactive or functional and do not provide the end userwith any true commercial function, in our model the consumer may throughthe mark itself interact in some way with the business, its product orservices/functionality of his/her choice. The mark is non-functional atpresent. Thus, there is a need and opportunity for functional keyoverlays, or marks on wireless devices that function to induce and/orpermit a consumer to interact with a business, its product or services,i.e., to purchase, order, request information or conduct some otherbusiness-related action and/or transaction using the user interface.RFID is defined as follows as it relates to this invention and can bepresent on the case, covering, encasement, overlay or wrapping. RadioFrequency Identification Technology to include Active RFID, PassiveRFID, and newer technologies being developed in RFID such as Near FieldCommunication RFID. Active RFID is typically either powered or uses atransponder type system which actively emits and or receives in somemanner. Passive RFID technology is typically activated by reflecting asignal emitted from an external reader or electronic device. An exampleof passive RFID technology is the Speedpass system manufactured by TexasInstruments and distributed by Exxon/Mobil. Newer technologies beingdeveloped include such variations as Near Field Communication RFID whichin its simplest form can combine advances such as more securecommunications accomplished by in one variation touch of one device toanother. These examples are not meant to exclude any variation of RFIDbut to include both past, present and future forms of Radio FrequencyIdentification technology and their various incarnations for single andmultiple purposes.

By contrast to the prior art, such as basic cell phone covers that arestatic, i.e., have little or no functionality, and which require newbase equipment for increased functionality over older systems ordevices, the present invention is capable of being used with futureand/or existing and/or older equipment to enhance by multipleutilization of RFID and/or functional key overlays associated directlywith the cover itself, which, when used in combination with any of theelectronic devices provides functional enhancement not initiallyavailable on the base device itself and/or overriding the initiallyavailable or programmed functionality of the base device without thecover according to the present invention. The present inventionrecognizes and solves this developing marketing need and opportunity toplace more control and ease of action and/or transaction in the hands ofconsumers. In a society that is becoming increasingly more mobile, thissolution provides both parties with a tool, which increases and/orcreates efficiencies, and is very effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device and method for marketing abusiness through a cover having RFID device connected thereto, whereinthe cover fully encloses or encases a wireless device and provides auser interface for the user to perform transactions with the device, thecover also having strategic placement of functional branding overlaid onkeys or buttons of the device, as well as to a method of using the same.

The present invention is directed to RFID-operable covers for wirelessdevices, the covers including RFID devices connected thereto and thecovers having a mark or logo or informative identifier, somethingimmediately recognized by the consumer as a functional key, which isoperable for performing a transaction when activated by the user; thiswill be known from this point forward as the button(s). One aspect ofthe invention is to provide identifiers on the cover such as logos ortrademarks or informative identifiers on/beneath/above/around afunctional telephone keypad overlay of a device cover that fullyencloses or encases the device, wherein the device further includes RFIDoperability, in particular the cover being applicable to a wirelessdevice having cellular phone, music, and/or gaming capabilities.

The present invention provides a system with applied RFID technology to,on, within or integrated with a case or cover combinable with the basedevice, wherein the case or cover is external to the wireless orelectronic device, i.e., it is not integrated with the phone body orprimary housing directly, but attached or overlayed thereto via a case,encasement, overlay, cover or wrapping. This is intended to include twocomponents, i.e., RFID and/or functional key overlay of the inventionthat can be present either independently or together on the case.

Another aspect of the present invention is to allow that such functionaltelephone or facilitation keypad overlays and RFID associated with thecover for portable electronic communications devices, such as cellphones, facilitate interaction of a consumer with a business, itsproducts or services in order to conduct a business-related or consumerdriven action and/or transaction.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the field, or discipline after reading of the followingdescription of the preferred embodiment when considered with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cell phone according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cell phone according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a personal digital assistant according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a hybrid wireless device-personal digitalassistant according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing relationships of components of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in thefollowing description, it is to be understood that such terms as“forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “upwardly,”“downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to beconstrued as limiting terms.

By contrast to the prior art, such as basic cell phone covers that arestatic, i.e., have little or no functionality, and which require newbase equipment for increased functionality over older systems ordevices, the present invention is capable of being used with futureand/or existing and/or older equipment to enhance by multipleutilization of RFID and/or functional key overlays associated directlywith the cover itself, which, when used in combination with any of theelectronic devices provides functional enhancement not initiallyavailable on the base device itself and/or overriding the initiallyavailable or programmed functionality of the base device without thecover according to the present invention.

An accessory case or cover that covers and fits over the face surface ofa phone, cellular, wireless devices or electronic device such as cellphones/hybrid cell phones or personal digital assistants, or electronicmusic device, such as an MP3 player, the invention including functionalkey overlays, RFID-based devices connected to or integrated with coversfor these electronic devices, and combinations thereof, and having thefollowing capabilities:

An accessory case or cover that is sized and constructed to fitgenerically over a portable hand-held electronic device and/orspecifically sized for a single device type, wherein the cover combineslogos or information printed on the case cover specifically on the clearplastic overlaying the keys and is tied to software resident on thephone or within its memory or downloaded to the phone via wireless orcommunication means and that activates a functionality, service orpoints the device to a web site when a series of keys or single key isdepressed that is associated with the functional or facilitation keyoverlays and/or RFID functionality of the cover, case or overlay, orreal-time or delayed wireless software interactivity. Preferably, thesoftware may be included with the cover, case, or overlay, such asincluded on an embedded microchip or microprocessor, downloadablesoftware, software resident on the electronic communication and/orentertainment device, software updates thereto, and combinationsthereof. The software provides for the functionality of the functionalor facilitation key overlays as set forth in this description. Also,preferably, the software permits functional or facilitation key overlaysto associate with GPS for location-based services provided when theRFID-operable cover that fully encases the electronic device is taken bythe user within a predetermined proximity of a business or machinehaving RFID receiver/transmitter capabilities and is programmed forcommunication with the device, in particular when activated by the user.

The present invention provides a device and method for marketing abusiness through a cover having RFID device connected, embedded,inserted or attached thereto, wherein the cover fully encloses orencases a wireless device and provides a user interface for the user toperform transactions with the device, the cover also having strategicplacement of functional branding overlaid on keys or buttons of thedevice, as well as to a method of using the same.

The present invention provides RFID-operable covers for wirelessdevices, the covers including RFID devices connected, embedded, insertedor attached thereto and the covers having a mark or logo or informativeidentifier, something immediately recognized by the consumer as afunctional key, which is operable for performing a transaction whenactivated by the user; this will be known from this point forward as thebutton(s). The functional or facilitation key overlay on the coverpreferably include logos or trademarks or informative identifierson/beneath/above/around the functional or facilitation telephone keypadoverlay of a device cover that fully encloses or encases the device,wherein the device further includes RFID operability, in particular thecover being applicable to a wireless device having cellular phone,music, and/or gaming capabilities.

The present invention provides a system with applied RFID technology to,on, within or integrated with a case or cover combinable with the basedevice, wherein the case or cover is external to the wireless orelectronic device, i.e., it is not integrated with the phone body orprimary housing directly, but attached or overlayed thereto via a case,encasement, overlay, cover or wrapping. This is intended to include twocomponents, i.e., RFID and/or functional or facilitation overlay, of theinvention that can be present either independently or together on thecase.

Also, the present invention allows such functional or facilitationtelephone keypad overlays and RFID associated with the cover forportable electronic communications devices, such as cell phones, tofacilitate interaction of a consumer with a business, its products orservices in order to conduct a business-related or consumer drivenaction and/or transaction.

The present invention also includes a device or system for applying RFIDtechnology to a case or cover that is external to the wireless orelectronic device, i.e., it is not integrated with the phone body orprimary housing directly, but attached or overlayed thereto. This isintended to include two components, i.e., RFID and/or functional orfacilitation overlay, of the invention that can be present eitherindependently or together on the case.

Preferably, the case, cover, or overlay includes materials that arenatural, synthetic, and combinations thereof. By way of example and notlimitation, polymeric or plastic material, neoprene, GORE-TEX, leather,and the like are used for the cover or overlay. Preferably, performanceenhancements such as water-resistance, temperature insulative, impactresistance are used. Also, preferably, materials capable of coloration,imprinting, and other asthetically modifiable surfaces are used forpersonalization, branding, etc.

Accessory cases or covers of the prior art may already include brandingmarks, such as company logos which work on the specific brand or devicemakers equipment; however, nowhere in the prior art exists a generic(non-proprietary) cover or case that fully encloses or fully encases thephone or portable communication or portable electronic device whereinthe cover or case includes RFID functionality included in, on, orintegrated with the cover or case which can function independently ofthe phone or electronic device. The cover for the purpose of RFIDpayment could be taken from the device placed in a pocket or purse andfunction from a hand held position independent from the device for whichit is intended to protect. The cover in and of itself serves to protectthe actual hardware of the device as well as serving as a mini-billboardfor advertising and/or as a storage vessel for the RFID micro chips ordownload recipient of a data chip. Importantly, the cover is not merelya face plate, it fully encloses or encases the device, i.e., it is aprotective cover or encasement while at the same time having singular ordual functionality with also the capability of having branding that hasoperability or functionality in addition to merely being branding oradvertising, while also the branding has the potential of revenuegeneration to support the cost associated with the functionalityelements of the cover including but not limited to development cost,sales cost, marketing cost, distribution cost of the RFID and/orfunctional button/s. Additionally, the present invention differs fromexisting faceplates in that it is a protective cover that fully enclosesthe phone and that it is not limited to one specific handset, devicetype, or device manufacturer. It further has no direct attachment to thephone, i.e., it does not snap on or connect directly to the shell of thephone but rather wraps around, encloses or encases the phone, wirelessdevice, or electronic device. Thus, the present invention provides adevice further including an RFID-operable case and/or functionalityadded above the keys or keypad of the device, wherein the functional keyoverlay being a logo that is tied directly to a software functionalityeither already resident on the phone or downloaded to the phone tocreate a functioning interface between phone and accessory case.Examples of portable electronic devices particularly include handheldportable entertainment devices, such as music players or game devices.

Also, the present invention is operable to provide RFID lottery paymentsystem such that the device having the cover with RFID and/orfunctionality of the case or cover. For example a convenience store orself-serve type lottery stations (like a vending machine) would beRFID-enabled so that users having the cover with RFID for the portableelectronic devices automatically purchase tickets through payment on theuser's account associated with their personal RFID on, in, within,connected to or integrated with the cover or case for the device.Alternatively, the electronic downloading of the ticket information oradvertising to users having the RFID-functional covers or cases for theelectronic device. The operability of the RFID-enabled device cover orcase is associated with proximity to a business or machine that isRFID-communication enabled, such as credit card purchases, or pre-paiddebit or credit cards, in particular in the case of lottery ticketpurchases. Branding reinforcement of the lottery or other games viaRFID-operable cover or cases.

An accessory case or cover for cell phones/wireless devices/digitalcameras/PDAs/hybrid cell phones, or smart phones and portable musicplayers. that has an RFID or Mobile Commerce component built into thecase itself or attached through some means to the case, cover, overlay,encasement or wrapping. The RFID component can be either active orpassive and can include advances in current RFID technology includingnear field communication, swipe based systems or use at a distance.Other forms of mobile commerce are also included such that the accessorycase becomes a functioning mobile wallet, debit or charge based system,or identification or token based system such as is used within a subwaysystem.

Examples of systems currently in place that are operable to utilize thenew combinations, including functional key overlays, RFID-devicesembedded in, inserted in, connected to, or integrated with covers forthe devices, and combinations thereof, associated with the presentinvention include, but are not limited to the Exxon/Mobil Speedpass™system or American Express's ExpressPay™ for RFID payment orMastercard's Paypass™ system, which is being developed for commercialapplication by Mastercard.

A basic description of functional key overlays is presented herein, butis intended to be considered in conjunction with the accessory caseand/or functional or facilitation keypad overlay outlined hereinabove.

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for thepurpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and arenot intended to limit the invention thereto. FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention on wirelessdevices referred to generally with the reference numeral 1. Wirelessdevices are broad in device but for our purposes at present include cellphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), hybrids of cell phones andsmartphones. Traditional telephones are known in the art and includehandsets having keypads thereon. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the inventionon a cell phone. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the presentinvention on a PDA. FIG. 4 illustrates the invention on a hybridwireless device-PDA.

The present invention provides for strategic placement of functional orfacilitation key overlays on a functional or facilitation telephonekeypad overlay, in particular for wireless devices, so they are directlyassociated with a functional or facilitation component, namely afunction or facilitation button or button(s). Preferably, the functionalor facilitation key overlays are marks such as brands, names, symbols,logos, trademarks or labels. Alternatively, the functional orfacilitation key overlays may also include generic words such as “buy”,“sell”, etc.

The functional or facilitation components of the wireless device formpart of the user interface between the device and the user or consumerthat is embodied in the functional or facilitation telephone keypadoverlay. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in apreferred embodiment, a cover having an RFID device connected, insertedor attached thereto or integrated therewith also further includes afunctional or facilitation telephone keypad overlay 1. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the phone or cellular phonecomponents may further include an electronic display 2, physical buttons3, or other interactive components on wireless devices, such as avirtual keyboard or virtual buttons that are produced by projection andlight detection means.

A functional or facilitation key overlay may be placed on, beneath,above, around and/or near the surface of the cover having RFIDoperability 11. As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in a preferred embodimenta functional or facilitation key overlay on the cover having an RFIDdevice included therewith 5 may be further associated with correspondingone of the numbers on a key pad 10 located on a phone or phone-capablewireless device 1. The placing of a functional or facilitation keyoverlay of the functional telephone keypad overlay on a functionalcomponent or above a functional component is termed applying thefunctional key overlay via the functional telephone keypad overlay. Afunctional component to which a functional key overlay has been appliedis considered a marked or identified functional component. More than onefunctional component may be marked or identified on a wireless devicevia the functional telephone keypad overlay. Because of the overlayitself, no functional key overlay is applied to a physical functionbutton on a wireless device by a manner such as printing, painting,embossing, adhesives, etc.

In the case of an electronic display 2 a functional or facilitation keyoverlay may be applied by electronic display of an electronic or digitalbutton 4 based upon its location on the surface of the functionaltelephone keypad overlay that corresponds to a location over the phonedisplay when the overlay is applied to the phone. An electronic displaymay be a touch screen. The user of the device interacts with the companywhose mark is used as the functional key overlay on the functionaltelephone keypad overlay by activating or pressing the function buttonso marked; a business-related action and/or transaction occurs by thatactivation of the button by the user, e.g., a product is purchased, suchas a beverage being purchased on location using equipment or from amachine that is programmed to communicate with the wireless device. Auser or consumer may touch the electronically displayed functional keyoverlay on the functional telephone keypad overlay to achieve someaction and/or transactional end as with a physical function buttondirectly located on the phone or cellular/wireless device itself.

In a preferred embodiment, the RFID device associated with the coverthat fully encloses a device when applied thereto further includes afunctional keypad overlay for the electronic device, wherein the RFIDdevice and the functional keypad overlay is pre-programmed, programmableand/or may be predetermined by the manufacturer. The RFID and/orfunctional keypad overlay of the cover may be considered dedicated tothe services, products, functions associated with mark with which it isidentified, i.e., it serves a practical marketing and advertisingfunction that provides business value to the business associated withthe branding, as well as making the cover and device operable forperforming business transactions with the company, or operating toperform a service provided by the company, such as security passage orauthorization, user identification or authorization for proximity orsecurity clearance, attendance, presence within a predeterminedproximity, or tracking of the device via the RFID in the cover. Datalinking of the cover with RFID operability is also provided with thepresent invention. Alternatively, a user or consumer programs afunctional component to a functional key overlay of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the RFID device attached to, connected to,integrated with, or inserted in the cover and the functional keyoverlays and their related or corresponding functional components may belocated anywhere on the cover and the corresponding surface of the phoneor wireless device thereunder; the functional key overlays on thefunctional telephone keypad overlay may be juxtapositioned physicalbuttons on the phone or wireless device itself. Also, there may be atleast one, but preferably a multiplicity of functional key overlays onthe functional telephone keypad overlay and related or correspondingfunctional components, i.e., individual physical buttons. Additionallyor alternatively, each button may have more than one functional keyoverlay on the functional telephone keypad overlay associated therewithor corresponding thereto. Preferably, each button has at least onefunctional key overlays and/or RFID-operable covers.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the functional key overlay's position on thefunctional telephone keypad overlay relative to the function componentor button is represented by the arrows from component 8 indicating emptyspaces or zones on a wireless device 1 that are proximal to buttons butnot directly on the components or buttons themselves. In a preferredembodiment, as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a functional key overlay 6 isplaced on the surface of the functional telephone keypad overlay thatcorresponds to a functional component located on a side of the wirelessdevice 1.

By way of example but not limitation, the following design exampleprovides a description of the application of the RFID-operable coverapplied to a particular hand-held electronic device, namely a cellularphone. Functional components on the phone under the functional telephonekeypad overlay include components like numeric buttons normally found ona phone or wireless device or components added to a phone or wirelessdevice for more function options for consumers. Also, the functionalcomponents may have various shapes and sizes, so long as they are sizedand configured for use by the user of the device. A functional keyoverlay on a functional telephone keypad overlay may also be placed on acomponent for which a function button is not normally associated. By wayof example, not limitation, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 4, afunctional key overlay is placed on an antenna 7 attached to wirelessdevice 1.

A user or consumer interacts with a phone or phone-capable wirelessdevice for some interactive purpose. In a preferred embodiment,functional components on the phone or wireless device may serve numerousfunctions including dialing, connecting, starting or transacting. Thesefunctions serve to implement the consumer or user's interactive purpose,i.e., to make a business-related action and/or transaction withoutrequiring additional user action. In a preferred embodiment, a consumeror user activates, selects or presses a marked functional key overlay ona functional telephone keypad overlay associated with a component on awireless device, such as a physical function button, and the deviceinteracts with the company represented by that identifier, e.g., bymaking a business action and/or transaction or purchase using a creditcard or by dialing a phone number to connect a consumer or user to apredetermined destination such as a business's information, help,service or product center, or professional services group trackingpreviously ordered product without requiring additional user action.Note that the user may provide additional information, such as a uniqueuser identifier or authorization or confirmation of the action and/ortransaction, at a subsequent level in the interaction with the company,its products and/or services, although establishing the initialinteraction with the company does not require additional user action.

Also, the present invention provides for RFID-based cover to be operablefor secure payment for any transaction authorized by the user from thedevice having the cover and RFID operability. Such a payment system maybe integrated with SMS, MMS or other notification and/or PIN or otheridentification response system to ensure that the transaction isproperly authorized, recorded or documented and processed in such amanner to preserve user account and identification security. By way ofexample and not limitation, the user in possession of a portablehand-held electronic device with the “smart” cover having RFIDoperability and/or functional key overlay moves into proximity of abusiness, location or other machine that is RFID-operable havingreceiver/transmitter and processing capability for the purpose ofconducting a transaction such as product or service purchase, and theRFID-operable cover enables the user of the device to process theintended transaction in a secure, user-authorized manner as set forthherein.

In another preferred embodiment, interaction with a functional componentpermits a consumer or user to facilitate actions and/or transactions,including those having an education component. These actions and/ortransactions may include the purchasing, depositing, transferring andcharging to or from another institution, or other financial transactionsor actions, including education and information-based actions. Suchactions and/or transactions may include stock market relatedtransactions such as the buying, or selling of securities relatedinstruments. Actions and/or transactions may also include the use ofcredit cards, debit cards, and/or smart cards. In one preferredembodiment, the mark of a credit card company may be placedon/beneath/around or near the component or button(s) and when theconsumer executes the component or button the account of the consumerwill be debited for the purchase. In another preferred embodiment, abeverage company's logo may be placed on/beneath/around or near thecomponent or button(s) and the consumer purchases a beverage from avending machine by pressing the component or button(s) identified by amark of the beverage company. In another preferred embodiment, aconsumer's financial institution has its logo placed on/beneath/aroundor near a button(s) and the consumer may interact with his or heraccount by pressing or selecting the component or button(s). In anotherpreferred embodiment, a branded button is used as an aid to facilitatediscounting and other promotional and advertising facilities.

In another embodiment, the user's interaction with a company, and itsproducts or services via a functional component on a phone or wirelessdevice may also connect a consumer or user to a website on the Internet,from here the consumer can download a menu, from here the client couldchoose the direction to take, such as purchasing, checking accountstatus and new deals or specials. The website may be an Internetservice, chat service, on-line store, or may be a hosted ASP site, orany pre-determined Internet destination including B2B, and B2C. Also,activation of the function component or button may launch anotherservice, like messaging services, such as AOL Instant Messenger providedby America On-Line, which are not website-dependent. As set forth in theforegoing, in a preferred embodiment the invention includes the optionof the user preprogramming the destinations of their choice.

In another embodiment, interaction with a functional component starts adevice such as a computer, a car, a radio, a television, or anyelectronic or mechanical device and could also include the retrieval ofdata such as lights on, and TV's off, even so far as being able toindicate or trigger an electronic-based security system of one'sdomicile.

A key aspect of this invention is any use of a marked functional keyoverlay on the RFID-operable cover to reinforce brand consciousness orawareness in the consumer or user. Single logo, mark, slogan ormultiples may be used on the cover and functional key overlay. Thecombination of the mark and the functional component as well as theRFID, whether active or passive, facilitates actions/business actionsand/or transactions by reducing the time for the user to implement anaction and/or transaction. Transactions and/or actions are made moreefficient, due to the fact that the consumer can quickly and easily scana wireless device and immediately identify the mark associated with theaction and/or transaction the consumer needs to implement or by usingthe RFID operability associated with the cover on the device; sincecovers are manufactured for specific devices, the type and function ofthe RFID operation is determined by the type of device for which thecover will be used. In addition, the marks on the wireless device servea marketing function, namely branding, independent of their relationshipwith the functional component.

Another preferred embodiment is the method of marketing a businessand/or reinforcing brand awareness through a wireless device interfaceincluding the step of applying functional key overlays on a functionaltelephone keypad overlay to a functional component of a wireless device.Such application may be made strategically, as to attract the consumerto interact with the functional component. Strategic placement meansplacement of a mark in such a manner as to attract a user or consumer touse the component that has the mark.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing relationships of components of theinvention, namely RFID technology 12 included in the cover or overlay16; functional key overlays 13 included in the cover or overlay; ahybrid 14 case, cover, or overlay including both RFID technology 12 andfunctional key overlays 13; and a software layer or component 15,running on a chip within the case 16 interacting with all othercomponents. The schematic of FIG. 5 illustrates the variousrelationships acting in combination to form a total system, in partselectively combined, and/or separately, as appropriate for a givenapplication or use of the present invention.

More specifically, Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID)includes active RFID, passive RFID, newer technologies being developedfor use with RFID, such as near field communication RFID, andcombinations thereof. Active RFID is typically either powered or uses atransponder-type system, which actively emits and/or receives atransmission or signal in some manner. A typical example of active RFIDtechnology in use is highway toll booths. Passive RFID technology istypically activated by a reflecting signal emitted from an externalreader or electronic device. An example of passive RFID technologyapplication is the Speedpass system commercially manufactured by TexasInstruments and distributed by Exxon/Mobil. Newer technologies such asnear field communication RFID, which in its simplest form is capable ofcombining secure communications wherein one device touches a seconddevice for transmission/receiving communications between them. Theforegoing is provided by way of example and not limitation, tofacilitate explanation of the present invention. Any variation orapplication of RFID, from any period, including future developments forRFID and variations of embodiments including the same for single andmultiple purposes, are intended to be included herein with thedisclosure of the present invention and adapted thereto for variousapplications, as appropriate and evident to one of ordinary skill in theart. As set forth hereinabove, the RFID technology, component or deviceand/or integration with the case, overlay or cover, is used to mean anyincarnation of RFID technology—internal, external, attached to the caseor its surface, and combinations thereof.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example,new components or extensions may be added to a wireless device that maybe labeled with a functional key overlay. Also, the present inventionmay be applied to cordless communication devices, such as traditionaltelephones operating with a cordless handset but a corded base orreceiver station.

All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sakeof conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of theinvention.

1. A housing for electronic hand-held devices comprising: a housing forat least partially encasing an electronic mobile communications device;and a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device connected to the housing,wherein the housing and RFID device cooperate to electronically initiatea business transaction when the housing detects inputs by activation ofpredetermined portions of the housing surface, and wherein the deviceand RFID-enabled housing is operable for communication with RFIDreceivers/transmitters when the device is located within a predeterminedproximity of the receiver/transmitter, and wherein the housing furtherincludes functional, branded input positions on the housing thatfunction like keys and that are operable for additional electronictransactions when the functional branded input positions on the housingare activated.
 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFID device isembedded in the housing.
 3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFIDdevice is removably attached to the housing.
 4. The housing of claim 1,wherein the electronic mobile communications device is operable forcompleting a business transaction when inputs are detected by it toconfirm the business transaction.
 5. The housing of claim 1, wherein thetransactions include business transactions including payments forservices and/or products.
 6. The housing of claim 1, wherein thetransactions include gaming.
 7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFIDdevice is operable to identify the user as having authorization toperform a predetermined function.
 8. The housing of claim 1, wherein theRFID device is operable to identify the user as having authorization topass through a security checkpoint and/or to identify the location ofthe user via a tracking system in communication with the RFID-enabledcover.
 9. A portable electronic device for business transactionscomprising: a hand-held electronic device having a housing for fullyencasing a portable electronic hand-held device; and a radio frequencyidentifier (RFID) device connected to the housing, wherein the useractivates an account for business transactions by using the device inconjunction with the RFID-enabled housing, and wherein the device andRFID-enabled housing is operable for communication with RFIDreceivers/transmitters when the device is located within a predeterminedproximity of the receivers/transmitters for completing a businesstransaction when inputs are detected in the housing to activate thetransaction, and wherein the housing further includes functional,branded positions on the surface of the housing that are operable forreceiving inputs for initiating additional electronic transactions. 10.The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the RFID device isembedded in the housing.
 11. The portable electronic device of claim 9,wherein the RFID device is removably attached to the housing.
 12. Theportable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the RFID device isintegrated with the housing.
 13. The portable electronic device of claim9, wherein the transactions include business transactions includingpayments for services and/or products.
 14. The portable electronicdevice of claim 9, wherein the transactions include gaming.
 15. Theportable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the housing isconstructed and configured to receive inputs by touch activation by auser.